Monday, 4 April 2011

Looking forward to 2011 durian season

Durian season is almost upon us and the good news, while we await the season to begin, is that the weather is turning drier. The flowers have a better chance of remaining on the trees and hopefully, we'll see a bountiful harvest.

According to my durian friend TS Chang who owns the Bao Sheng Durian Farm in Sungai Pinang, near Balik Pulau on the island, the first flowers started appearing last month (that is, March) and these fruits should be available in June. He says there are more blooms on the way.

There are so many varieties of durians on his estate that sometimes, he needs to come out with a little time table to help aficionados satisfy their annual cravings. Here's what he told me: D604 (1-28 Jun); Lipan (5 Jun-4 Jul); Kunpoh angbak (8 Jun-4 Jul); Little red, Green skin angbak and D600 (10 Jun-6 Jul); Kapri and D11 (12 Jun-10 Jul); Horlor (18 Jun-22 Jul); Red prawn (20 Jun-25 Jul); and finally, Green skin D15, D99 and D15 25 Jun-30 Jul). Just bear in mind that these dates are approximate but the chances are good that they will be available during these ranges of dates.

And he says that his farmstay is open for people who wants to book an overnight experience that combines a breath-taking view of the sunset on the other side of the island with a durian feast that can last the whole day if the guest is up to it.